This is the first time I’ve voted in local elections for which I did not consult the endorsements of The Independent. I pretty much didn’t consult any endorsements other than a few personal testimonials I overheard. Between having heard a good many of the candidates speak at the Democratic County Convention last Saturday and an INC (Inter-Neighborhood Council) forum last night, a little bit of research, and just doing a little reading, I was able to make up my mind. I was hardly as informed as I could’ve been, and I certainly could’ve become more informed with two more weeks still to go. But I figured I was about as saturated by politics as I wanted to be, so today was a good day to put my thoughts on the ballot.

Early voting in downtown Durham was well-attended when I dropped by the Board of Election office around 4:15. Victoria Peterson and Don Moffitt were on hand to stump for their candidacies for Board of County Commissioners. Ms. Peterson is quite pleasant one-on-one despite her reputation for bitter tirades and public meetings.

Who’d I vote for? I won’t say, for the most part. Like I said, I could’ve been more informed.

President
Although I was tempted to vote for Mike Gravel, surprised to see his name on the ballot, I filled the oval for Barack Obama. I didn’t well up with tears casting this vote. Barack Obama doesn’t especially inspire me. There was another guy, a guy who lives nearby in North Carolina, whom I was excited about, but his name is not on the ballot. I want the Democratic candidate to beat McCain in November. Hillary Clinton has a far better command of the complexities of issues, but she’s showed herself to be a pretty horrid human being, in my opinion, with no remorse for the destruction she may cause. I do not blame her at all for remaining in the race. She should stay in the race as long as their is a legitimate chance of prevailing, and that is quite arguable, I realize. However, I wish she would run a campaign based on her own merits rather than giving the Republicans talking points for the fall to use against Obama. I actually feel sorry for her, for I’m sure she has yet to fully accept that her carefully plans of the last several years will fail to yield the desire result. In order to stay in the race, she must project resiliency and ignore reality to some degree. But she is smart enough to recognize reality on some level, and that must be devastating. She’ll probably just be a Senator for the rest of her life.

Senator
Jim Neal got my vote over Kay Hagan, and I didn’t have to think about this one at all. He’s got tremendous energy on the stump and definitely has a progressive streak in him. Hagan seems unsure of herself, the type of candidate who says things like, “I think I have the ability to go to Washington…” It should be assumed that one running for a position has the ability. To feel the need to express this quasi-confidence sounds to be like a candidate doubts herself deep down. Hagan is really saying, “I didn’t think I really had it in me, but Jim Hunt and Mike Easley and Chuck Schumer were horrified that a gay man was gonna run, so they convinced me I should give it a go”. Hagan, for sure, is not quite Elizabeth Dole with a “(D)” instead of an “(R)”. But she’s seemed willing to go along with a fair number of Bush policies that make her an unacceptable choice, given that we have a choice in this race.

Durham County Board of County Commissioners
Note to incumbents and candidates: When you’re posed a YES/NO question on whether or not you support a general idea, I do not want to hear, “I’m inclined to support it, pending a public hearing”. What I hear is, “I’m inclined to support it, but I’m not prepared to expend any political capital on it”. Even if you’ve been on the Board for 20-30 years, I’ve only been paying attention for about 1 year, so I haven’t learned yet that you’re giving the best politically feasible answer. If I go to forum, I want to know what your position is on an issue, not your “inclinations”.
There are 10 candidates for 5 slots. Just to help bring about Barry’s Chaotic Scenario (BCS), I only voted for 4. (Also, I just couldn’t muster enough enthusiasm for 5).

Several other interesting races. Four candidates to replace Nifong; I could’ve voted for two of them. Lieutenant Governor; I could’ve voted for two or three of them. Governor (oh, I guess this one is kinda important)…Moore and Perdue both tick me off; I may a gut call here. Floyd McKissick’s opposition dropped out, but the opponent’s name was still on the ballot, which I suppose is why Floyd still put up so many enormous signs and still begged for everyone’s vote. If you’re unopposed, you probably want to get 95% of the votes; I’m interested to see what he winds up with.

On a somewhat random note, Wayne Goodwin, candidate for Commissioner of Insurance, gave the best speech I heard. But it would be silly to vote for someone based on speech, wouldn’t it?

One more random note…Republican Ken Chandler gave a thirty-second speech last night to campaign for Floyd’s Senate seat. I don’t think anyone in the room had ever met the imposing Chandler, who showed up in cowboy gear. As he walked up to the microphone and past the table of BOCC candidates, Victoria Peterson flashed a look of utter bewilderment in reaction to John Wayne’s appearance. It was priceless. I hope McKissick and Chandler have a debate this fall.